Over
twenty Muppets donated to Smithsonian's Museum of American
History

Miss Piggy
and friends finally join Kermit the Frog at the Smithsonian

Courtesy
of National Museum of American HistorySeptember
24,
2013

The
National Museum of American History received a new donation of
more than 20 Jim Henson puppets and props on the anniversary
of his birthday—Sept. 24, 1936—from the Henson family.
Miss Piggy and the Swedish Chef from The Muppet Show, Bert and
Elmo from Sesame Street, and Red Fraggle and Traveling Matt from
Fraggle Rock are among the new additions. They will join the
museum’s current Jim Henson Collection, which includes
Oscar the Grouch, Kermit the Frog and the cast of Sam and Friends.

“No American artist has appealed to and affected as many
people in different age groups and cultures the way Jim Henson
has,” said John Gray, director of the museum. “The
off-beat humor, zany characters and educational messages created
the perfect combination of comedy and storytelling for classic
shows that continue to entertain and teach audiences worldwide.”

This
video of the donation ceremony features Cheryl Henson,
daughter of Jim and Jane Henson and president of The
Jim Henson Foundation; Fran Brill, puppet performer;
Craig Shemin, president, The Jim Henson Legacy; Bonnie
Erickson, executive director, The Jim Henson Legacy;
Sue Fruchter, deputy director, National Museum of American
History; and Dwight Blocker Bowers, curator of entertainment
collections at the National Museum of American History.

Many of the
donated puppets are the first constructions of these characters
and represent Henson’s work in early television
commercials and shows that include The Muppet Show (1976-1981),
Fraggle Rock (1983-87) and Sesame Street (1969–present).
In addition, his collaborations with artist Brian Froud for the
1982 feature film The Dark Crystal, which brought to view Henson’s
advances in animatronics, will be represented in the collection
with a Skeksis figure and SkeksisChair. The puppets and props were
designed and created at the Jim Henson Workshop in New York City,
with the exception of the figures from The Dark Crystal, which
were created at the Jim Henson Creature Workshop in London.

“Jim Henson captured both the imagination and attention
of diverse audiences all around the world with masterfully integrated
design and film elements, and witty skits and stories that were
both outlandish and charming at the same time,” said Dwight
Blocker Bowers, curator in the museum’s Division of Arts
and Culture. “The life and legacy of Henson will be remembered
through the numerous characters that makeup this exciting collection.”

Henson, one
of the leading innovators of 20th-century entertainment, was
an American puppeteer, screenwriter, film director and producer
who brought the ancient art of puppetry into the modern age. He
began his career in 1954, while still in high school, and continued
until his untimely death in 1990. Henson’s legacy continues
through The Jim Henson Foundation’s efforts to promote and
develop the art of puppetry in the U.S., and through The Jim Henson
Legacy—established by his late wife, Jane Henson, in 1992—which
continues to preserve and present the artistic contributions of
Henson and his work.

The museum
will place Miss Piggy on view within the American Stories exhibition
in March 2014. In addition, several of the puppets from
the Jim Henson Collection—including the original Kermit,
not yet a frog, and Cookie Monster—will go on view in November
in a display case that will include marionettes, hand puppets and
ventriloquist figures. This display will explore the role these
iconic characters have played in American culture and the impact
they have had on popular entertainment. Henson’s life and
work will be explored by author Brian Jay Jones in the upcoming
book, Jim
Henson: The Biography, which will be officially released
Sept. 24.

Muppeteer
Fran Brill and one of her most famous characters, Prairie
Dawn from Sesame Street.

Through
its collections, research and public outreach, the National Museum
of American History explores the infinite richness and complexity
of American history. It helps people understand the past in order
to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future. The
museum is currently renovating its west exhibition wing, developing
galleries on business, democracy and culture. For more information,
visit americanhistory.si.edu. The museum is located at 14th
Street and Constitution Avenue N.W., and is open daily from 10
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free. For Smithsonian
information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.

Fan site Muppet Central created by Phillip Chapman. Updates by Muppet
Central Staff. All Muppets, Bear characters are copyright
of The Muppets Studio. Sesame Street characters are copyright of Sesame
Workshop.
Fraggle Rock, Creature Shop and similar likenesses are copyright
of The Jim Henson Company.
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